CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The National Weather Service has flash flood watches posted for almost all of West Virginia today. Meteorologist Mike Kistner with the National Weather Service in Charleston says periodically they anticipate upgrading those to a warning.
That’s what has happened in some area already today. In the Hurricane area a flash flood warning is in effect after a torrential downpour caused streams in the area to over flow. There are reports of high water on Cow Creek and parts of U.S. Route 60 in the Culloden area to Milton were blocked by water.
Another downpour caused a flood warning in parts of Wood, Wirt, Calhoun, and Roane County.
“In between Spencer and Ripley on Route 33 there are reports of high water,” said Kistner. “We’re continuing to monitor these showers and thunderstorms as they push east today. People need to continue to be alert and pay attention to the conditions.”
While a torrential downpour and training storms are a possibility anywhere in West Virginia, some areas which are already soaked are more dangerous for flash floods than others.
“Due to some of the rainfall over the last several day, some areas are very, very saturated,” Kistner explained. “In an area like that it takes a lot less rainfall to cause a rapid rise in flood levels.”
The flood threats are in place until late Friday evening. Officials expect the weekend to be dry and more pleasant, but Kistner added they see a chance of more torrential rain by the middle of next week.